🔗 Share this article European Union Could Retaliate to ‘Unwarranted’ US Visa Bans, Spokesperson States The EU might “act quickly and firmly” in response to what it deems “unwarranted” visa bans issued by the United States on five Europeans working on combating digital hatred and disinformation, an EU official has said. European Leaders Decry US Action as ‘Intimidation’ Officials from Europe such as the French president accused Washington of “bullying and threats”, after the travel bans targeted individuals that were at the heart of campaigns to enact legislation regulating US-based technology firms. “For far too long, ideologues in Europe have spearheaded organised efforts to pressure American platforms to suppress US perspectives they disagree with,” wrote the US secretary of state in a social media post. “The current administration will no longer tolerate such actions of censorship beyond its borders.” Widespread Condemnation Across Europe Germany, Spain, the UK and a chorus of EU officials joined the French president in criticizing the decision. The restrictions were imposed this week on an ex-European commissioner who helped draft the EU’s Digital Services Act (DSA), along with four activists fighting false information, including two in Germany and two in the UK. A Deepening Dispute Regarding Governance The DSA is seen by US officials as a form of censorship, whereas EU authorities contend the regulations are necessary to control inflammatory language and falsehoods. This disagreement risks becoming part of a far wider existing cultural and political conflict between Washington and European institutions. Additional Updates Reported Today In other legal news: A federal judge has blocked efforts to reduce security grants to states that do not comply with certain immigration enforcement policies. The judge stated the case was “a further instance” of tying government assistance to policy compliance. Approval was given for the dispatch of 350 national guard members to a major US city ahead of the holiday period, coinciding with an ongoing border security initiative. The nation of Palau has agreed to take in dozens of individuals from the US in return for additional aid, after signing a formal agreement with US authorities. Furthermore, a Democratic lawmaker has initiated legal action to demand the removal of the current president’s name from a prominent cultural institution in the capital. Experts point out that comments regarding foreign petroleum resources align with a broader belief in certain circles of “economic expansionism”, drawing comparisons with past foreign policy actions.
The EU might “act quickly and firmly” in response to what it deems “unwarranted” visa bans issued by the United States on five Europeans working on combating digital hatred and disinformation, an EU official has said. European Leaders Decry US Action as ‘Intimidation’ Officials from Europe such as the French president accused Washington of “bullying and threats”, after the travel bans targeted individuals that were at the heart of campaigns to enact legislation regulating US-based technology firms. “For far too long, ideologues in Europe have spearheaded organised efforts to pressure American platforms to suppress US perspectives they disagree with,” wrote the US secretary of state in a social media post. “The current administration will no longer tolerate such actions of censorship beyond its borders.” Widespread Condemnation Across Europe Germany, Spain, the UK and a chorus of EU officials joined the French president in criticizing the decision. The restrictions were imposed this week on an ex-European commissioner who helped draft the EU’s Digital Services Act (DSA), along with four activists fighting false information, including two in Germany and two in the UK. A Deepening Dispute Regarding Governance The DSA is seen by US officials as a form of censorship, whereas EU authorities contend the regulations are necessary to control inflammatory language and falsehoods. This disagreement risks becoming part of a far wider existing cultural and political conflict between Washington and European institutions. Additional Updates Reported Today In other legal news: A federal judge has blocked efforts to reduce security grants to states that do not comply with certain immigration enforcement policies. The judge stated the case was “a further instance” of tying government assistance to policy compliance. Approval was given for the dispatch of 350 national guard members to a major US city ahead of the holiday period, coinciding with an ongoing border security initiative. The nation of Palau has agreed to take in dozens of individuals from the US in return for additional aid, after signing a formal agreement with US authorities. Furthermore, a Democratic lawmaker has initiated legal action to demand the removal of the current president’s name from a prominent cultural institution in the capital. Experts point out that comments regarding foreign petroleum resources align with a broader belief in certain circles of “economic expansionism”, drawing comparisons with past foreign policy actions.